Movable x-ray tube support apparatus



Feb. 18, 1964 E. P. THOMAS -3,121,793

MOVABLE X-RAY TUBE SUPPORT APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet1 WITNESSES INVENTOR dima Eugene P. Thomas.

Feb. 18, 1964 E. P. THOMAS 3,121,793

MOVABLE X-RAY TUBE SUPPORT APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet2 MANUAL 7 3| VERTICAL-LONGITUDINAL l POWER VERTICAL- LONGITUDINAL l I Il I I l I l I I so *I I I I i I 50I l I I I 64| I 52 1| I l l l 60 'sl'7- 66 MANUAL-- POWER United States Patent 3,121,793 MQVABLE X-RAY TUBESUPPURT APRARATUS Eugene P. Thomas, Catonsville, Md, assignor toWestinghouse Electric @Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a coriterationof Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 15, 196i, er. No. 95,979 6 Claims. (Cl.259-91) The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus and moreparticularly to an actuating system for overhead X-ray tubestands.

The usual overhead X-ray tubestand employs a vertically-arrangedtelescopic column which carries at its lower end an X-ray tube and ismounted at its upper end on a cross carriage. The cross carriage istransportably mounted on overhead cross rails which in turn aretransportably mounted at opposite ends on overhead side rails. Asomewhat complex counterweight-cable-and-pullcy arrangement is embodiedin these overhead tubestand equipments to counterbalance the X-ray tubewhile affording its freedom for vertical, longitudinal, and cross travelmovement. A plurality of selectively-energized electromagnetic lock-sprovide for locking the X-ray tube against movement in selecteddirections.

Heretofore in order to provide for powered operation of the severalmutually-perpendicular movements of the X-ray tube, it has been thepractice to employ a plurality of motors according to the number of suchmovements desired to be power-actuated.

in view of the foregoing remarks, at prime object of the presentinvention is the provision of a simplified system for power actuation ofthe X-ray tube in an overhead tubestand in at least two mutuallyperpendicular directions by a single motor.

in accord with the preceding object, it is another object of the presentinvention to employ the counterweightcable-and-pulley arrangement andthe electromagnetic locks in a manner which afi'ords the power actuationof the X-ray tube in the several directions by a single motor.

ther o jects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric three-dimensional View of an overhead X-raytubestand embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a circuit diagram exemplifying a control system which may beembodied in the invention.

Description Referring to FIG. 1, the overhead X-ray tubes-tand in whichthe invention is embodied comprises an X-ray tube head 1 which iscarried by the innermost and lowermost column section 2; of a telescopictube column 3. Tube column 3 depends downwardly from a cross carriage 4overhead which is transportably mounted on overhead cross rail-s 5through the medium of rollers 6, only several of which are shown, but atleast four of which are employed in the well-known manner. The crossrails 5 in turn are supported, via rollers 7 at opposite ends, by siderails 3 which provide for longitudinal movement of the X-ray tube inunison with cross carriage 4 and rails S.

The counterweight 9 for the X-ray tube 1 and movable sections of thecolumn 3 etc. is disposed preferably along a Wall 1d of the room inwhich the apparatus is located and is usually hidden from view in asuitable enclosure.

The preferred rigging tor counterweight 9' and its cable 1'1 includes ananchor 12 for one end of the cable which extends downwardly and around acounterweight-supporting pulley l3, upwardly therefrom to a pulley 1d,thence horizontally along the respective side rail it to a pulley i6 r3,121,793 Patented Feb. 18, 1964.-

on the cross rail 5 assemblage, thence along one cross rail 5 to apulley 18 on the cross carriage 4-, thence downwardly within column 3around a pulley Zil carried by the innermost column section 2, thenceupwardly and over a second pulley 22 on the cross carriage 4 to a pulley24 at the opposite end of the cross rail assemblage, thence back oversuch assemblage to a second pulley 26, and thence to the second cableanchor 28 atone end of the overhead side rail 8 located at the wall ItThis arrangement, in well-known manner, enables the X-ray tube 1, while:fully counterbalanced, to be moved vertically in coincidence withtelescopic movement of the column 3, longitudinally by movement of crossrails 5 along side rails S, and transversely by movement of thecolumncarriage 4 along such cross rails.

For locking the tube 1 in any selected position, electromagnetic locks3o, 31 and 32 are provided. Each lock is of well-known constructionwhich responds to energization of its coil to cause attraction of itsarmature 33 to the adjacent steel structural member or the apparatus foreffecting a locking action. 7

One look 30 is carried by the counterweight 9 for locking engagementwith such asa vertical steel member 36 at one side of the counterweight.Another lock 31 is carried at one side of the cross carriage 4 forlocking engagement with one of the cross rails 5, and the third lock 32is carried at the end of the cross rail 5 assemblage for lockingengagement with the adjacent side rail 8.

During manual operation, by selectively energizing one or more of thelocks 38, 31 and 32, the three mutuallyperpendicular movements of the Xray tube may be arrested selectively.

To afford power actuation of the X-ray tube vertically as well aslongitudinally, for example, in accord with a feature of this invention,a motor 34 carried by the cross rail assemblage is provided for drivingthe pulley it? through the medium of suitable gearing 35, for example,and preferably a clutch (not shown) which enables the motor to bedecoupled -from the pulley 16 when manual positioning is employed. Bylocking the counterweight '9 against vertical movement, operation of themotor 34 will cause the cross rail 5 assemblage to move along the siderails 53, and by lockingthe cross rail 5 assemblage against movementalong the side rails 8 while the counterweight is unlocked, the turningof pulley 16 by motor 34 causes the X-ray tube 1 and column section 2 tobe moved vertically through the medium of the cable 11 which is causedto pass around all pulleys ot the system.

Referring to FIG. 2, the motor 34 is reversible and is preferably adirect current motor having its field 38 connected in shunt with itsarmature 39. A switch contact 49 provides for connection of motor leads41 and 42 to a direct current source 43, and an on-oif reversing motorcontrol switch means 44 provides for effecting operation of the motor inthe desired direction.

Presuming switch contact 40 to be closed, in the upper closed positionof contacts 45 of switch means 44 current will flow in one directionthrough the armature 39 via conductor 56, and in the lower closedposition of contacts 45 current flow through the armature will be in theopposite direction via conductor 47.

To provide for selective control of energization of the counterweightlock 36 and the cross beam lock 32 during manual adjustment of the X-raytube height and longitudinal position, MANUAL Vertical-Longitudinalcontrol switch means 48 including separately actuable contacts 49 and 50are provided to establish an energizing circuit with a direct currentsource 51 via a switch contact 52 which is opened to disable switches 49and it} when power adjustment of X-ray tube height and longitudinalposition is desired. In the chosen exemplification, the cross carriage 4is exclusively moved manually, and accordingly its lock 31 is controlledby a switch 55 which is not subject to disablement by contact 52.

To provide for control of the locks 30 and 32 for selecting direction ofpower actuation of the X-ray tube 1 as either vertically orlongitudinally, a POWER Vertical- Longitudinal selector switch means 60is provided, which, when rendered eilective by switch contact 61,alfords selective control of energization of counterweight and crossbeam locks 30 and 32 via ganged switch contacts 63 and 64 which parallelthe manual control switches 49 and 50, respectively.

Switch contacts 40, 52 and 61 are ganged for operation in unison in aMANUAL-POWER selector switch means 66 which in the manual position inwhich it is shown with contacts 40, 61 open and contact 52 closed,assures disablement of the motor on-ofl? reversing switch means 44, therendering eifective of the MANUAL Vertical-Longitudinal lock controlswitch means 48, and the disablement of the POWER Vertical-Longitudinalselector switch means 60. In the power position of selector switch means66, with contacts 40 and 61 closed and contact 52 open, the motorcontrol switch means 44 and POWER Vertical-Longitudinal selector switchmeans 60 are rendered etfective while the MANUAL Vertical-Longitudinallock control switch means 48 is disabled.

The control circuit means as shown in FIG. 2 is by way ofexemplification, and it will be understood that the several switch meansand contacts may take the form of a number of relays which may vary asto the number of contacts according to availability or convenience,without departing from the invention.

A particular embodimentof the invention has been described inconjunction with the motor driving of the pulley 16 for power actuationof the X-ray tube 1 in the vertical and longitudinal directions. If,however, another pulley is chosen, pulley 18, for example, as the onethat is power driven, the single motor driving such pulley may be madeto effect even the third motion of the X-ray tube 1, namely, transversemovement in unison with the cross carriage 4 along cross tracks 5, byselective control of the three locks 30, 31 and 32.

While the invention has been described with a degree of particularity,it will be appreciated that it is intended to embrace modificationswhich will hereafter occur to those skilled in the art within the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an overhead X-ray tubestand comprising a telescopic columnincluding an X-ray-tube-carrying section, an overhead cross carriagecarrying said telescopic column, overhead cross rails along which saidcross carriage may travel for transverse movement of said column, siderails along which said overhead cross rails may move for longitudinalmovement of said column, vertically-movable counterweight means, cablemeans supportedly connected to said counterweight means and to saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section, and a plurality of pulleys disposedon said cross rails, cross carriage and X-ray-tube-carrying columnsection around which said cable passes in a manner permitting vertical,transverse and longitudinal positioning of said column section; incombination therewith a motor operatively connected to one of saidpulleys, a plurality of locks for selectively locking relative movementsof the aforenamed components of said tubestand to selectively lockmovement of said X-ray-tube-carrying column section against vertical,transverse and longitudinal movement, respectively, the motor drivenpulley and locks being so constructed and arranged that the aforesaidmotor may be made to effect at least two of the threemutuallyperpendicular directions of movement of the X-ray-tubecarryingcolumn section via said cable means by selective control of said locks.

2. In an overhead X-ray tubestand comprising a telescopic columnincluding an X-ray-tube-carrying section, an overhead cross carriagecarrying said telescopic column, overhead cross rails along which saidcross carriage may travel for transverse movement of said column, siderails along which said overhead cross rails may move, for longitudinalmovement of said column, vertically-movable counterweight means, cablemeans supportedly connected to said counterweight means and to saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section, and a plurality of pulleys disposedon said cross rails, cross carriage and X-ray-tube-carrying columnsection around which said cable passes in a manner permitting vertical,transverse and longitudinal positioning of said column section; incombination therewith a motor operatively connected to one of saidpulleys, a plurality of locks for selectively locking relative movementsof the aforenamed components of said tubestand to selectively lockmovement by said X-ray-tube-carrying column section against vertical,transverse and longitudinal movement, respectively, the motor drivenpulley and locks being so constructed and arranged that the aforesaidmotor may be made to effect at least two of the threemutually-perpendicular directions of movement of the X-ray-tubecarryingcolumn section via said cable means by selective control of said locks,and control means for said motor and locks constructed and arranged toprovide for such motorized operation of said X-ray-tube-carrying columnsection or manual operation with selective control of the aforesaidlocks.

3. In an overhead X-ray tubestand comprising a telescopic columnincluding an X-ray-tube-carrying section, an overhead cross carriagecarrying said telescopic column, overhead cross rails along which saidcross carriage may travel for transverse movement of said column, siderails along which said overhead cross rails may move for longitudinalmovement of said column, vertically-movable counterweight means, cablemeans supportedly connected to said counterweight means and to saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section, and a plurality of pulleys disposedon said cross rails, cross carriage and X-ray-tube-carrying columnsection around which said cable passes in a manner permitting vertical,transverse and longitudinal positioning of said column section; thecombination therewith of a motor operatively connected to a pulley onsaid cross rails, 21 counterweight lock operable to lock saidcounterweight means against vertical movement, a cross rail lockoperable to lock said cross rails against movement along said siderails, and means controlling operation of said motor and selectiveoperation of said counterweight lock and cross rail lock, so constructedand arranged that both vertical and longitudinal movement of theaforesaid X-ray-tubecarrying section of said column may be effectedselectively by such single motor via said cable means.

4. In an overhead X-ray tubestand comprising a telescopic columnincluding an X-ray-tube-carrying section, an overhead cross carriagecarrying said telescopic column, overhead cross rails along which saidcross carriage may travel for transverse movement of said column, siderails along which said overhead cross rails may move for longitudinalmovement of said column, vertically-movable counterweight means, cablemeans supportedly connected to said counterweight means and to saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section, and a plurality of pulleys disposedon said cross rails, cross carriage and X-ray-tube-carrying columnsection around which said cable passes in a manner permitting vertical,transverse and longitudinal positioning of said column section; thecombination therewith of a motor operatively connected to a pulley onsaid cross rails, a counterweight lock operable to lock saidcounterweight means against vertical movement, a cross rail lockoperable to lock said cross rails against movement along said siderails, a cross carriage lock operable to lock said cross carriageagainst movement along said cross rails, and control means controllingoperation of said motor and selective operation of the aforesaidcounterweight, cross rail and cross carriage locks, so constructed andarranged that said X-ray-tube-carrying column section may be free for orlocked against manual movement in any selected direction or actuated bysaid motor via said cable means in the vertical and longitudinaldirections.

5. In an overhead X-ray tubestand comprising a telescopic columnincluding an X-ray-tube-carrying section, an overhead cross carriagecarrying said telescopic coumn, overhead cross rails along which saidcross carriage may travel for transverse movement of said column, siderails along which said overhead cross rails may move for longitudinalmovement of said column, vertically-movable counterweight means, cablemeans supportedly connected to said counterweight means and to saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section, and a plurality or" pulleys disposedon said cross rails, cross carriage and X-ray-tube-carrying columnsection around which said cable passes in a manner permitting vertical,transverse and longitudinal positioning of said column section; thecombination therewith of a motor operatively connected to a pulley onsaid cross rails, a counterweight lock operable to lock saidcounterweight means against vertical movement, a cross rail lockoperable to lock said cross rails against movement along said siderails, and control means controlling operation of said motor andselective operation of the aforesaid counterweight, and cross raillocks, said control means including switch means permitting operation ofone or the other but not both of the aforesaid counterweight and crossrail looks when said motor is in operation, whereby actuation of saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section in both the vertical and longitudinaldirections by such single motor via such cable means may be effectedselectively.

6. :In an overhead X-ray tubestand comprising a telescopic columnincluding an X-ray-tube-carrying section,

an overhead cross carriage carrying said telescopic column, overheadcross rails along which said cross carriage may travel for transversemovement of said column, side rails along which said overhead crossrails may move for longitudinal movement of said column,vertically-movable counterweight means, cable means supportedlyconnected to said counterweight means and to said X-ray-tube-carryingcolumn section, and a plurality of pulleys disposed on said cross rails,cross carriage and X-ray-tube-carrying column section around which saidcable passes in a manner permitting vertical, transverse andlongitudinal positioning of said column section; the combinationtherewith of a motor operatively connected to a pulley on said crossrails, a counterweight lock operable to lock said counterweight meansagainst vertical movement, a cross rail lock operable to lock said crossrails against movement along said side rails, a cross carriage lockoperable to lock said cross carriage against movement along said crossrails, and control means controlling operation of said motor andselective operation of the aforesaid counterweight, cross rail and crosscarriage locks, said control means including switch means permittingoperation of one or the other but not both of the aforesaidcounterweight and cross rail locks when said motor is in operation andpermittin operation of any and all locks when said motor is renderedineffective for manual operation of the column positions, whereby saidX-ray-tube-carrying column section maybe selectively freed for or lockedagainst manual movement in any direction or power actuated by said motorselectively vertically and longitudinally.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,659,827 Scag et al Nov. 17, 1953 2,778,948 Berger Jan. 22, 19572,835,520 Schiring et al May 20, 1958 2,841,717 Kizaur July 1, 1958

1. IN AN OVERHEAD X-RAY TUBESTAND COMPRISING A TELESCOPIC COLUMNINCLUDING AN X-RAY-TUBE-CARRING SECTION, AN OVERHEAD CROSS CARRIAGECARRYING SAID TELESCOPIC COLUMN, OVERHEAD CROSS RAILS ALONG WHICH SAIDCROSS CARRIAGE MAY TRAVEL FOR TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT OF SAID COLUMN, SIDERAILS ALONG WHICH SAID OVERHEAD CROSS RAILS MAY MOVE FOR LONGITUDINALMOVEMENT OF SAID COLUMN, VERTICALLY-MOVABLE COUNTERWEIGHT MEANS, CABLEMEANS SUPPORTEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID COUNTERWEIGHT MEANS AND TO SAIDX-RAY-TUBE-CARRYING COLUMN SECTION, AND A PLURALITY OF PULLEYS DISPOSEDON SAID CROSS RAILS, CROSS CARRIAGE AND X-RAY-TUBE-CARRYING COLUMNSECTION AROUND WHICH SAID CABLE PASSES IN A MANNER PERMITTING VERTICAL,TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL POSITIONING OF SAID COLUMN SECTION; INCOMBINATION THEREWITH A MOTOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAIDPULLEYS, A PLURALITY OF LOCKS FOR SELECTIVELY LOCKING RELATIVE MOVEMENTSOF THE AFORENAMED COMPONENTS OF SAID TUBESTAND TO SELECTIVELY LOCKMOVEMENT OF SAID X-RAY-TUBE-CARRYING COLUMN SECTION AGAINST VERTICAL,TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT, RESPECTIVELY, THE MOTOR DRIVENPULLEY AND LOCKS BEING SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED THAT THE AFORESAIDMOTOR MAY BE MADE TO EFFECT AT LEAST TWO OF THE THREEMUTUALLYPERPENDICULAR DIRECTIONS OF MOVEMENT OF THE X-RAY-TUBECARRYINGCOLUMN SECTION VIA SAID CABLE MEANS BY SELECTIVE CONTROL OF SAID LOCKS.